5 from the Grinder: Dylan Mallery (Mallery Designs LLC)

·2 Comments··158 views

Hello everyone, and welcome to 5 from the Grinder. Today is a bit of a departure from our typical 5ftG post, in that our featured maker doesn’t really make knives himself. Instead, Dylan Mallery is one of the hottest young designers in the industry, with designs being produced by Artisan/CJRB, B’YondEDC, and Civivi Knives. He has recently started releasing knives under his own Dylan Mallery Designs label as well.

I also know Dylan personally, having spent time together at multiple Blade and SHOT Shows. He is an amiable fellow, and I enjoyed getting to see under the hood a bit with his answers here today.

If you are a knifemaker who would like to be featured in a future 5 from the Grinder, click this link to find out more.

Please introduce yourself and let us know what led you to making/designing knives

I’m Dylan Mallery, everyone loves swords and weapons as a kid, growing up as an artist it’s just something that I enjoyed drawing. as I got older more into the realistic side ie, sculpting, ceramics, portraits.

2014 I found myself collecting knives in turn, I decided to learn how to make them. I felt like with my abilities as an artist I would be better suited to designing. I decided to learn 2D cad, learned 3-D printing. Which lead to fusion 360 mostly self-taught with the help of few. I am very lucky to work with great companies who give me the opportunity to present my designs.

What knifemaker(s) or designer(s) have had the biggest influence on you? Do you have any mentors?

Jim McNair, Ken Onion, Gavko, Kendall Hughes, our some of my influences.

People in the industry that have helped along the way, Kendall Hughes, Chris Ortiz, Russell Soffiotto, David Sun, Nathan Raptis. They’ve all played a part in what I do whether it be working together, business advice, teaching knife mechanics.

Mallery-designed slipjoint, made by Nathan Raptis Knives

What is your favorite knife pattern or style from history?

Dagger – I love symmetry. Seeing how makers do their quillons is just gorgeous.

What is the next big thing in knifemaking? / What direction do you see the industry going?

I personally feel like oem/ midtech will be the route. It’s nothing new. But it gets more of models in people’s hands.
There will always be a place in the industry for Customs. I hope to be there soon.

Is there a knife from your lineup that you feel best exhibits who you are as a knifemaker/designer in terms of design elements, aesthetic or techniques used?

The Phorus. A Model under my own brand.
It’s sleek, fast looking, great ergos, Thin, doesn’t weigh down the pocket.

What is your EDC and why?

The Phorus is a big mainstay for me. The cutting ability it has. It’s thin, a great carry knife.

My knives aside, I do like to carry a Microtech Troodon or Unltratech. They’re both great. Super slim. Easy to carry.
And Arcane Design Preytheon also stays in my pocket a lot. The fidget factory. But more importantly the Ergos. My hands are on the smaller side and the Preytheon is just a perfect fit, killer design as well.